Spirited Mama

Living a SPIRITED life filled with wanderlust, emotions and everything in between

Month: December 2018

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Live Life Well with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales… Part 2 + Win

By

On December 17, 2018

In Lifestyle, Wellness

**Disclaimer – Charlene, from High Heels and Fairy Tales, received a gift card to purchase any item on her wish list from Wellness Warehouse. The views and opinions expressed are Charlene’s own. Photo credit go to Charlene too 🙂 **

I decided to feature a series of Wellness posts to find out how other moms #LiveLifeWell The purpose of this series is to enlighten readers and show you how small changes can yield big results for you and your family too.

Part 2 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales

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High Heels and Fairy Tales family

1. The woman behind High Heels and Fairy Tales – meet Charlene

I’m a stay at home mom, homeschooling my little girl. I love high heels, but I practically live in sneakers these days because well, #momlife. I’m a Disney fan, and on a movie night in, nothing’s going to win over Marvel or Star Wars. 😁

I’ve been blogging for a few years now. My blog is my little space online where I talk about mom life, places we’ve been, food and products that we’ve tried and loved, and pretty much everything in between. My little family loves to travel, and we’re busy preparing for our most last-minute holiday yet – can you say EXCITING?

2. Why you choose to #livelifewell

Having a little person really motivates you to #livelifewell. I want to make better choices for my family, so that we’re able to fully enjoy every second together. I also want to be to be able to set a good example for my little one when it comes to truly living life well.

3. Share with us what you bought at Wellness Warehouse

Skin Creamery’s Everyday Cream has been on my wish list ever since I read some great reviews earlier this year. I’m so glad that I finally got to try it. The South African product contains all natural and organic ingredients. It’s gentle enough for the face, yet rich and moisturizing enough for the body.

Personally, I find it a little too heavy for my face especially in this weather. I do think it would work wonderfully in Winter though. I absolutely love how the cream feels on my arms and legs. My skin feels amazing, and I can’t help but use it as a hand cream each time I wash my hands! It absorbs quickly, and you don’t need to use too much.

The brand’s ethos is to be kind to the earth (hello pretty glass bottle), and kind to your skin. Very cool. The packaging also gets a thumbs up – the black and white box and the clean, simple design of the bottle are both lovely.

Where to find Charlene:

Blog: http://highheelsandfairytales.co.za

Facebook: https://facebook.com/HighHeelsAndFairyTales

Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlene_bhana

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeelsFairyTales

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4cCyXTlw4zMJOIed_qog7w

Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/charlu18

Win with Wellness Warehouse & High Heels and Fairy Tales. Follow the link below

 

Spirited Mama

x

T’s & C’s apply

In case you missed it:

Part 1 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama

NB! Remember to subscribe to my blog to catch the other parts and giveaways in this series.

 

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Ever considered buying a car seat as the Christmas gift?

By

On December 11, 2018

In Car seats, Child safety

** disclaimer – This is NOT a sponsored post. We actually BOUGHT the car seat and have been using it almost a year now. I just wanted to share some information with you and challenge your thinking.*

***The two seats in the featured image – 1985 is the seat that Dudie’s teacher, Mrs R-thank you for sending me the picture, used when she was a little girl. This was an actual car seat and lawd alone knows how that seat could have passed safety testing. 2018 is the seat that Troll is currently using.

Reality is little Johnny is not going to be phased with the latest and greatest toy. And I bet that your sweet angel will be playing with pots/pans/cups/cutlery and vegetables almost as quickly as you take down your Christmas tree. Just out of interest, do you buy your baby/toddler expensive gifts/practical gifts?

In the Spirited house – Safety first – NO compromise. The car does not move until you have your belt on and that goes for every single occupant, adult and child alike. Before the kids came along, Dude and I followed this rule regardless. It  has become a natural habit for us. You get in, put your seat belt on and start the car. Even Dudie and Troll know the drill, belts on! Period.

I challenge you to think rationally and consider buying a car seat. It is an INVESTMENT. With the festive season in full swing, you might be travelling or not. BUT driving down the road is just as dangerous than taking on a road trip. You just don’t know what lies ahead. Are you sure that you are giving your child(ren) the best safety options, considering what is best for you?

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Image credit from @CARSEATFULLSTOP.ORG

I get that budgets differ and as parents we all try to do the best we can in the present moment and circumstance. But I still see way too many kids bobbing around on the seats in moving vehicles on the road. I cringe when my extended family think that I’m being a hard ass about the fact that my children MUST be strapped in EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY ARE IN A CAR! They are my children and I must ensure that I protect them as best I can!

We are currently use the Be Safe iZi Combi x4 isofix for Troll. Yes, I know it’s not an average priced car seat but here are some of the reasons why we bought it anyway:

  • Safety crash tested
  • Can be used rear or forward facing, although I prefer to keep Troll rear facing. He loves it and chats to me via his mirror  🙂 Dude has used the seat forward facing…
  • Can be secured with either isofix or seat belt
  • Comes with SIP (Side Impact Protection)
  • Excellent value for money
  • And Troll seems very comfortable in this seat, being a slightly bigger than average child.

*Don’t fret if you don’t have isofix fittings in your car, securing the car seat with the seat belt actually feels very sturdy.

Click here for more information about the iZi Combi x4 car seat.

Troll and I recently visited the Born Fabulous office in Johannesburg. Here is Troll in the iZi Flex Fix iSize (New Booster Seat from BeSafe).

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Troll testing the izi Flex Fix booster seat

He is not ready to move over to this seat as I think he can still get some good wear out of his iZi Combi. But I was keen to see this seat as it is more suitable for Dudie, still in a booster seat at 9 years old and will be in a seat until he is 12 years old if I can help it.

An interesting feature is that the seat is a smaller version of the previous booster and the SIPs (Side Impact Protection) are removable. Technically, you can now fit 3 of these seats next to each other on your back seat. I’ve seen the question of “which seats can be recommended if you need to fit 3 car seats into your vehicle” pop up often. Well, here is something that you might want to consider if you need three car seats on your back seat. 

Click here for more information on the iZi Flex Fix iSize.

Another upgrade is the belt collector. We’ve used version 1 and although it served it’s purpose, I am way more impressed with the new belt collector. Here’s a demo of how to install it.

Today, I want to challenge you to rethink your Christmas gift guide.

Would you buy a car seat as a Christmas gift? Why not get family members to chip in and buy a collective gift, re: car seat? 

Spirited Mama

x

** After months of extended research and speaking to industry we decided that BeSafe was our best option. There are many people willing to give advice BUT I do recommend that you chat to Mandy Lee Miller at CarSeatFullstop for expert and proven advice and guidance. You can also chat via the facebook page and join the conversation with other parents also looking for advice.

 

Live Life Well with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama…Part 1 + WIN

By

On December 4, 2018

In Lifestyle, Wellness

Why I choose to Live Life Well

***Disclaimer – I received a gift card to purchase products at Wellness Warehouse. However, if you follow my social media accounts you will see that I often use their products in our daily lives. The views and opinions expressed are my own.***

Wellness Warehouse is for ordinary/normal/conventional/traditional/etc people. Everyone. The very people you pass in the streets who are trying to make better lifestyle choices.

I’m not skinny nor am I a health guru/expert but I am a parent, trying my best to give my family some wellness, balance and healthier lifestyle choices.

As a mom, I’m always looking for ways to #LiveLifeWell and naturally I was intrigued and drawn to Wellness Warehouse, who encompasses the very essence of living life well. Wellness Warehouse not only caters for my needs but my entire family benefits from my wellness expeditions.

Background snippet to Wellness Warehouse or simply click here for more information. Did you know that you can also shop online 🙂

Established in 2007, Wellness Warehouse is the combined inspiration of brothers Sean & Carlos Gomes.
Sean is a medical doctor with a passion for preventative health and Carlos is a pioneer and health-obsessed visionary with a lifetime of retail experience.
With their combined skills in retail and medicine they created the first store in South Africa with the sole purpose of offering a comprehensive list of health and wellness products to help you to live life well.

I decided to feature a series of Wellness posts to find out how other moms #LiveLifeWell

Part 1 – LiveLifeWell with Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama

I am NO expert, neither am I a food/fitness fundi. I am a woman as well a mom looking for ways to get my and my family’s wellness on track.

I was first introduced to Wellness Warehouse on social media and then at a media event at one of their Gauteng branches. Well, it changed my thinking.

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Not only will you find organic and plain old fashioned just good for you products but all sorts of interesting goods you may not even have known existed. There is no way of popping into a store quickly. You will spend a fair amount of time inside the Wellness Warehouse and you will want to go back as they always have new products to try. From superfoods to body wash, toothpaste to an organic baby range.

Did you know they have a wellness consultant in store to answer any questions you have and to advise and/or recommend products for you, to suit your lifestyle?

An added bonus are the in-store wellness cafés, where you can recharge with a smoothie, fresh pressed juice, coffee and even some delicious gluten free florentines or just good old chocolate cake. In my opinion, both are equally delicious. If you happen to visit one of the bigger stores you are in for a treat as they have a buffet station too. Be it breakfast/brunch/lunch, you will enjoy their healthy yet homely foods on offer.

In our home we have made small changes which are yielding big results. Some of our favourite Wellness Warehouse products are:

Milk Thistle capsules for me

Superfood shakes for Dudie, I use these as post recovery drinks as this child has a very active lifestyle with sports. Recently, I started adding moringa powder. It doesn’t alter the taste so the child is non the wiser BUT he just seems like a better version of himself. These shakes are also my go to drink when I’m having a crazy day trying to get my eldest to his extra murals.

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Gluten free flapjacks as well as Gluten free chocolate cake for Dude. If you offer him anything healthy, he’ll turn his nose up BUT these two specific items are the ones that he generally wants more of.

 

Troll, currently 22 months old, just eats whatever is on offer. Although, these orange chocolate bliss balls are a favourite as well as the dried cranberries. *Troll and I are the only two, in this house, who love dark chocolate. It’s my little treat just for the two of us to share 🙂

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Want to WIN a R500 Wellness Warehouse voucher?

  1. Comment below with either your favourite product from the Wellness store, or a wish list item if you haven’t been to or experienced a Wellness Warehouse prior to this post.
  2. Like Wellness Warehouse & Spirited Mama on Facebook.

NB! Remember to subscribe to my blog to catch the other parts and giveaways in this series.

Additional entries:

  1. Share the post on Facebook and tag a friend, remember to tag me @spiritedmama1 so that I can validate your entry.
  2. Follow @spiritedmamablog  on Instagram. Follow the steps outlined in the post. I will link the post to my bio.
  3. Follow @spirited_mama1 on Twitter. RT the competition post, I will pin this blog post on my profile, and make sure to tag me and use #LiveLifeWell and #spiritedmama so that I can validate your additional entry.

Spirited Mama

x

T’s & C’s

**Competition closes Sunday 9 December 2018 at 23:59. Winner will be announced on my social media accounts, 10 December 2018.
Open to South African residents only.
Winner will be randomly selected. 
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected. 
I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries. **

 

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